Scars decisions — 2012

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for metastatic RCC and its associated residuals, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his active duty service or herbicide exposure and these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his pilonidal cyst scar was denied as the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the severity and symptomatology of his disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The initial disability ratings for her service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as the scar from her cesarean section, remain at noncompensable levels.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, hearing loss, amputation of the right index finger, diabetes mellitus type II with renal insufficiency, erectile dysfunction, and scar from CABG, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's right facial scar is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of claim.,The Veteran's left facial scar is also rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,New evidence has not been received to reopen previously denied claims of fibromyalgia, right knee disability, gastritis, vertigo with syncope, stomach ulcers, or a heart condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of laceration injury to the left hand, right hand scars from animal scratches, and facial injuries from cat scratches have been granted.,Service connection is established for these conditions as they are considered direct service connections.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has ordered a remand due to the need for another VA examination regarding the Veteran's eye disorder, characterized by refractive error, vitreous floaters, and temporal chorioretinal scar. The appeal is currently in process.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to inadequate medical examination and consideration of the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's migraines, scars of the right temple and right leg, and low back disability were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of recent medical records.

The Veteran's heart disease, including coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, is currently rated at 60 percent. The rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple gastrointestinal and pulmonary disabilities that he claims are secondary to his service-connected GERD. The Board is unable to determine the appropriate disposition of these issues due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, a gynecological disorder (claimed as female problems and miscarriage), and loss of nasal hair. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not have a left ear hearing loss disability and his service-connected left knee, elbow, and cubital tunnel syndromes do not meet the criteria for an initial rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's disability compensation benefits were properly offset for 43 days due to receipt of military drill pay for Fiscal Year 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for residual scars from a shrapnel wound to the right thigh is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for scars of the left ear auricle and left eye, but assigned noncompensable ratings as there is no evidence of limitation of function or disfigurement.

The Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities for the periods from September 8, 2003 through May 31, 2006, and from March 1, 2009 through July 31, 2009.